Economy

Some 85% of Zambians work the country's relatively infertile soil as subsistence farmers; commercial agriculture is mostly confined to a small number of large farms. The leading crops are corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seeds, tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton. Cattle and other livestock are raised. There is a small fishing industry.

The mining and refining of copper constitutes by far the largest industry in the country and is concentrated in the cities of the Copperbelt. Cobalt, zinc, lead, gold, silver, gemstones, and coal are also mined. Manufactures include food products, beverages, textiles, construction materials, chemicals, and fertilizer. Most of Zambia's energy is supplied by hydroelectric plants, especially the one at Kariba Dam.

Copper accounts for over 80% of foreign exchange. The principal imports are machinery, transport equipment, consumer goods, petroleum and petroleum products, and foodstuffs. The leading trade partners are the European Union countries, South Africa, Japan, and the United States. Zambia is a member of the Southern African Development Community.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

• • Cite
  • Print